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| How
to build a successful website in 5 Steps |
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Whether
you are hiring a professional or doing it
yourself, these steps will help you organize your web
site design project. Creating a successful web site may
not be as easy as it appears.
1. Determine who will
be involved
Who in your office will be the person in charge of the
website? Will someone in your office build the website
or will you hire outside help? Will someone in your office
update the website? What people will have initial input
and review the new website? What company will host the
site? Will a consultant or advertising agency be involved
with the project?
2. Define the purpose and layout of the website
Is the goal of your website to expand your customer base?
Provide information to existing customers? Support company
marketing activities? Will you sell goods on the website?
If so, will you accept credit cards? Do you need databases?
Do you want a content management system? Get out a yellow
pad and start making a list of pages. Draw a flow chart
to help visualize the layout of the website.
3. Build and test the website
Create the homepage and get everyone's approval on color,
graphics and layout before building more pages. Assign
several people to check parts of the website if your site
is large. Have people test surf the website to make sure
they can find information. If visitors have an unsatisfactory
experience, they won't come back. Spell check the site.
Misspelled words will erode your credibility. Ecommerce
websites must test online order forms to avoid costly
and embarrassing situations.
4. Promote the website
Even if you are familiar with some web marketing techniques,
a web marketing professional can determine the right strategy
for your website. There are many web marketing options
available, selecting those that will be most effective
for your website will save you time and money. Be sure
to put your website address on your business cards, letterhead,
brochures, advertising and all other marketing material.
You should also create and use an email signature which
includes your website address. Send out a press release
announcing your new website.
5. Maintain and update the website
As your website evolves, pages will be added and removed.
Regular maintenance should include looking for broken
links and missing graphics. There are software programs
to help you with this. Old price sheets and outdated articles
will destroy your credibility. If you want to keep people
coming back, you'll want to regularly update the website
and add new information. No one will be interested in
returning to a stagnant website.
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